We went for a picnic – Part 2, Sooralu Palace

After the Tea and Snacks along with my Uncle we moved to Sooral (Kannada - ಸೂರಾಲು) Palace ( 13°26'49"N 74°51'18"E ). It is around 10 km from Pethri. It is one of the mud palaces of that era which is still standing as a witness to the neglect of the authorities who are supposed to preserve it. In actuality the work of restoration was started and the wooden logs that were brought for the preservation are now consumed by the white ants and are worn out by the weather and time.

We were welcomed by a friend of my uncle – Sri Shambhu Sherigar, a retired teacher who taught in the school that is in front of the palace and has been a witness to its slow degradation. He is a constant flow of information regarding the parts of the palace, as he grew up attending the functions in palace.

There is a big forecourt as we enter the premises of the palace. The main door at the entrance has Ram, Sita and Laksman on the mast. And the two pillars at the front have intricately carved wooden ‘sharabhas’ supporting the ceiling. As we enter through the main door we come across one of the 7 courtyards of the palace. But now only 3 have been left. Most of the first floor of the palace has collapsed and only part of it is available for us to see around the inner yard. There is a wall painting – only one of it is left, (done during those days or after that, we dont know) but it also needs some urgent attention.

The third courtyard that is left was the Pattada Chavadi – where the entrtainment programs like dance and music concerts were held with the audience along with the lord of the house sitting around.

The only one area that is still intact and maintained is the Pooja Room – where the dieties of the house are kept and the Indra comes every day to offer daily prayers. Only during some auspicious occasions the descendents of the family come to offer the pooja here.

Last part of the palace we visited was the first floor at the main entrance, that is maintained well as a office cum occasional residential quarters.

In front of the palace there is a school with a large ground and 5-6 large banyan trees – a rare sight to see so many at a single place.

After spending almost 45 minutes in the palace and a final group photo in front of the palace we moved to our next destination – Jomlu Teertha/Falls.

For the details in Kannada I have enclosed the write-up from the net that was written on 23-7-2000, and it is still relevant - http://thatskannada.oneindia.in/news/2000/07/23/udupi.html

ಉಡುಪಿಯಿಂದ 28 ಕಿಮೀ ದೂರದ ಸುರಾಲುವಿನಲ್ಲಿರುವ ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಏಕೈಕ ಮಣ್ಣಿನ ಅರಮನೆಯೆಂಬ ಖ್ಯಾತಿಯ ಸುರಾಲು ಮಣ್ಣಿನ ಅರಮನೆ ಈಗ ಕುಸಿಯುತ್ತಿದೆ.

ಎಕರೆ ಭೂಮಿಯ ವ್ಯಾಪ್ತಿಯನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿರುವ ಸುರಾಲು ಅರಮನೆಯ ಹಿಂದೆ 5 ಶತಮಾನಗಳ ಇತಿಹಾಸವಿದೆ. 16 ನೇ ಶತಮಾನದ ಸುಮಾರಿಗೆ ಜೈನ ಅರಸರು ತುಳುನಾಡಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಿದ್ದ 12 ಮಣ್ಣಿನ ಅರಮನೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಉಳಿದಿರುವುದು ಈಗ ಸುರಾಲು ಮಣ್ಣಿನರಮನೆ ಮಾತ್ರ. ಹಸಿರುಗದ್ದೆಗಳ ನಡುವಿನ ಸುಂದರ ಅರಮನೆ ಈಗ ಕುಸಿಯತೊಡಗಿದ್ದು , ಅಮೂಲ್ಯ ಸ್ಮಾರಕವೊಂದು ಮಣ್ಣಾಗುವತ್ತ ದಾಪುಗಾಲಿಡುತ್ತಿದೆ.

ಪ್ರಸ್ತುತ ಯುನೆಸ್ಕೋದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಚಿರಂಜೀವಿ ಸಿಂಗ್‌ ರಾಜ್ಯ ಪ್ರಾಚ್ಯ ವಸ್ತು ಇಲಾಖೆಯ ನಿರ್ದೇಶಕರಾಗಿದ್ದಾಗ ಅರಮನೆಯ ನವೀಕರಣ ಕಾರ್ಯ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭವಾಯಿತು. ಅಂದಾಜು ಕೋಟಿ ರುಪಾಯಿಯ ಈ ಯೋಜನೆ ಮುಕ್ಕಾಲು ವಾಸಿ ಮುಗಿದಿದ್ದರೂ, ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಈವರೆಗೆ ಹಣ ಮಂಜೂರು ಮಾಡಿರುವುದು 35 ಲಕ್ಷ ರುಪಾಯಿ ಮಾತ್ರ. 70 ಲಕ್ಷ ರುಪಾಯಿ ಕಾಮಗಾರಿ ಮುಗಿದರೂ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಕಾಲಕಾಲಕ್ಕೆ ಸರಿಯಾಗಿ ಹಣ ಮಂಜೂರು ಮಾಡದಿರುವುದರಿಂದ ಗುತ್ತಿಗೆದಾರರು ಕಾಮಗಾರಿಯನ್ನು ಸ್ಥಗಿತಗೊಳಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

ಸೋರುತಿಹುದು ಅರಮನೆಯ ಮಾಳಿಗೆ : ಅರಮನೆಯ ಮಾಡಿಗೆ ಹಂಚು ಹೊದಿಸುವ ಕೆಲಸವನ್ನು ಹಣದ ಕೊರತೆಯ ಕಾರಣವೊಡ್ಡಿ ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಿರುವುದರಿಂದ ಸುರಾಲು ಅರಮನೆಯ ಮಾಡು ಸೋರುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಮಳೆ ನೀರಿಗೆ ಗೋಡೆಗಳು ಕುಸಿಯುತ್ತಿವೆ. ಅಪರೂಪದ ಕಾಷ್ಠಶಿಲ್ಪ ಬೂಸ್ಟು ಹಿಡಿದು ಹಾಳಾಗುತ್ತಿದೆ.

ಪೂರ್ಣವಾಗಿ ಮಣ್ಣು ಹಾಗೂ ಮರಗಳನ್ನು ಬಳಸಿ ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಿರುವುದೇ ಸುರಾಲು ಅರಮನೆಯ ವೈಶಿಷ್ಟ್ಯ. ಈ ಅರಮನೆಯನ್ನು ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಿದ್ದು , ತುಳುನಾಡಿನ ರಾಜಮನೆತನಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದಾದ ತೋಳಾರ ವಂಶದ ಅರಸರು. ಸುರಾಲು ಅವರ ರಾಜಧಾನಿ. 1511 ರ ಹೊತ್ತಿಗೆ ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಲ್ಪಟ್ಟ ಎರಡುಪ್ಪರಿಗೆಯ ಈ ಅರಮನೆ ಸುರಾಲು ಅರಮನೆ ಎಂದೇ ಹೆಸರಾಗಿದೆ. ಸುಟ್ಟ ಆವೆ ಮಣ್ಣಿನಿಂದ ಕಟ್ಟಲಾಗಿರುವ ಗೋಡೆಗೆ ಹುಲ್ಲು ಬೆರೆಸಿದ ಗಾರೆ ಲೇಪಿಸಿದೆ. ಗಾರೆಯ ಮೇಲೆ ಸಗಣಿ ನೀರಿನ ಲೇಪನ. ಮಾಡಿನ ಹೊದಿಕೆ ನಾಡ ಹಂಚಿನದು. ಕಿಟಕಿ, ಬಾಗಿಲು, ಕಂಬ ಹಾಗೂ ಮುಚ್ಚಿಗೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಷ್ಠ ಕೆತ್ತನೆಯ ವೈಭವವಿದೆ. ಅರಮನೆಯ ವಾಸ್ತುಶಿಲ್ಪ ಹಿಂದೂ- ಜೈನ ಸಂಪ್ರದಾಯ ಎರಡನ್ನೂ ಒಳಗೊಂಡಿದ್ದು. ಅರಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪದ್ಮಾವತಿ ಹಾಗೂ ಕುಮಾರ ರಾಯನ ಮಂಚವಿದ್ದು, ಅವುಗಳಿಗೆ ಇಂದಿಗೂ ನಿತ್ಯಪೂಜೆ ಸಲ್ಲು ತ್ತಿದೆ.

ಮಾತು ತಪ್ಪಿದ ಅಯ್ಯರ್ : ಅರಮನೆಯ ವಾರಸುದಾರರು ವಿವಿಧೆಡೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಹಂಚಿ ಹೋಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ. 1983 ರಿಂದ ಅರಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಯಾರೂ ವಾಸಿಸುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ . ಚಲನ ಚಿತ್ರದ ಶೂಟಿಂಗ್‌ಗೂ ಅರಮನೆ ಬಳಕೆಯಾಗಿದೆ. 1987ರಲ್ಲಿ ಜಿ.ವಿ. ಅಯ್ಯರ್ ಅವರ ಮಧ್ವಾಚಾರ್ಯ ಚಿತ್ರದ ಶೂಟಿಂಗ್‌ ನಡೆದದ್ದು ಇಲ್ಲೇ. ಚಿತ್ರೀಕರಣದ ನಂತರ ಅರಮನೆಯನ್ನು ಪೂರ್ವ ಸ್ಥಿತಿಯಲ್ಲೇ ಉಳಿಸುವುದಾಗಿ ನೀಡಿದ್ದ ವಚನವನ್ನು ಅಯ್ಯರ್ ಜಾರಿಗೆ ತರಲಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು ಅರಮನೆಯ ವಾರಸುದಾರರಲ್ಲಿ ಒಬ್ಬರಾದ ಸಂತೋಷ್‌ ಕುಮಾರ್ ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾರೆ.

ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮಳೆ ಧಾರಾಕಾರವಾಗಿ ಸುರಿಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದು , ಮಣ್ಣಿನ ಅರಮನೆ ಕರಗುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಅರಮನೆಗೆ ತಕ್ಷಣವೇ ನಾಡಹಂಚು ತೊಡಿಸದಿದ್ದಲ್ಲಿ ಈಗಾಗಲೇ ಮಣ್ಣಾಗಿರುವ 11 ಮಣ್ಣಿನರಮನೆಗಳ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಸುರಾಲು ಅರಮನೆಯೂ ಸೇರುತ್ತದೆ. ಅರಮನೆಯ ಮಾಡಿಗೆ ಅಂದಾಜು 2 ಲಕ್ಷ ಹಂಚುಗಳು ಅವಶ್ಯವಿದ್ದು , ಇದಕ್ಕೆ 10 ಲಕ್ಷ ರುಪಾಯಿಗಳು ಬೇಕು. ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಹಣ ಮಂಜೂರು ಮಾಡುವುದು ನಿಧಾನವಾದಷ್ಟೂ ಅರಮನೆ ಕರಗುವುದು ಮುಂದುವರಿಯುತ್ತದೆ.

TO CHECK INTO THE ALBUM - http://good-times.webshots.com/album/576549204DteKtX?vhost=good-times

We went for a picnic – Part 1, Neelavara

26th of Jan 2010 was very eventful for all of us who went on a family picnic get-together. The company included me, Dr Girish, Dr Praveen, Dr Guruprasad, Dr Roshan and Dr Ramakrishna. The group included extremes of age group with Dr Girish's mother and my mother leading and followed by the youngest formed by Dr Guruprasad's son and Dr Praveen's son.

This happened because our remaining staff who happened to come together for a picnic get-together didn't come together at all!! And we had to plan the whole thing in 36-48 hours, and we scheduled the picnic in such a way that we will visit the place of religious importance, then we will visit a place of historical significance and last a place for pure relaxation and enjoyment.

It was decided that all of us will meet in Udupi and start by 8.45am, and all our group members arrived on time, including Dr Roshan and Dr Praveen!! And on the first leg of our expedition we all reached Neelavar in the morning at around 9.20am.

Neelavara or Nilavara (Kannada: ನೀಲಾವರ) is a village in Udupi district of Karnataka, India. Neelavara is situated about 7 km from Brahmavar that lies on NH-17 and around 3 km from Kunjal (Kannada: ಕುಂಜಾಲು) that lies on the road from Brahmavar to Hebri. Neelavar lies roughly between the river Sita (Kannada: ಸೀತಾ ನದಿ)in the north and the village Kunjal to the south.

Here we visited the following places -
1. Neelavara is famous for the centuries old Shri Mahishamardini Temple (13°27'17"N 74°47'3"E), that is on the banks of the river Sita. Here we offered our prayers to the Goddess. The river Sita is just flowing in front of the temple across the road, but there is no way you can hace an access to the river.

2. Panchami Kanana (Kannada: ಪಂಚಮೀ ಕಾನನ) another place of interest in Neelavar is associated with the snake God, Lord Subrahmanya, is situated next to river Sita towards the east of the temple. Here there are steps to get down to the river and u can sit on the steps and enjoy the cool waters flowing across and enjoy the cool breeze blowing over.

3. A check dam (Salt Water Exclusion Dam) has been constructed across the river Sita, in the western part of Neelavara, mainly to protect against the sea water coming inland and for irrigation during the summer season. In these waters we had a nice boat ride. We had to organise this impromptu boating with the help of some of the sand mining workers who were staying on the banks of the river. It was a very pleasant ride, and the boat man took us for a 20 minutes ride on the waters of the river. Though many of us got scared of the tilt of the boat to one side, Dr Roashan was the boldest to stand at the head of the boat – with a banner Walk for a Cause!!



4. Neelavara Cowshelter/Goshale has been set-up by Pejavara Mutt in Neelavara to look after aged, homeless cows. Here we came across hundred of cattles that were saved from the butchers' knife. They have been sheltered in well organised cow shelters but still the place is not sufficient for all.

After the joyous boat ride we reached my Aunt's home (mother's siter's home) at Pethri, where we had Gunda ot Hittu, (that is idli in jackfruit leaves for all those who don't know!!) and Tea.

From here we started for the Suralu Palace at around 12 noon.
Check the link for the Part 1 album -
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/576550088ZZZhaQ?vhost=good-times

Kemtur – Village in Udupi

Kemtur, an idyllic village on the outskirts of Udupi (my home town). I have been visiting this small hamlet since last 3 years, because our ancestral Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is situated in this village, on the eastern banks of the river (and they say the village is named so because of us KAMATHS - “ಕಾಮತರ ಊರು – ಕೆಮ್ತೂರು”.


The village doesn't have a proper bus facility, and has a small mud road for transport – but now new and a better road is being built, may take another year for that to complete. And over the years i have observed the slow transformation of this village with a hanging bridge (13°17'55"N, 74°45'39"E )connecting the village to the neighbouring Manipura – village close to Katapadi. Last year a vented dam (13°17'41"N, 74°45'43"E) was constructed to facilitate the transport and also to block the salt water entering the fields of cultivation.




The nature beckons you, and as you walk along the mud road that is passing through or along the ridges of the field you hear the occasional chirping of birds, howling of the dogs or the call of the cattle.


Once in a while the lull of the village is broken by the rattling of the wheels of train that travel along the Konkan Railways, to break the monotony. But still you find peace in this serene atmosphere with all the green fields around, and some one working on his fields alone – without the hurriedness of the city goer.


The main deity of the village is 'Vishnumoorthy' – Lord Vishnu, a renovated temple, constructed with granite. It has also got a new flag post standing tall amidst the silence, as if guarding it.

Our (means Kamaths' family) temple (13°17'52"N, 74°45'43"E ) is small, surrounded by fields on all side except on the west where the river flows along. The main deity is Laksmi Narasimha, along with our Kuladevatas Shantadurga and Vijayadurga. This temple is slowly gaining significance because of Kemtur Kamaths who are in far off places are trying to get to their roots and finally they find this place (like my family).

And usually I don't miss any opportunity to visit the temple, so that i can be with nature, relax though for a short while away from all the hullabaloo of the city.

CHRISTMAS GET-TOGETHER AT Dr ROSHAN PINTO'S HOME, KINNIGOLI

Dear Friends, it was nice to have a day away from all the hazzles of work, and it was provided by Dr Roshan, my friend. He invited us – that is Dr Girish Navada, Dr Guruprasad, Dr Ramakrishna, Dr Ranjan and me, to come along with our families. Dr Ranjan missed this outing as it was the day of Christmas, and he had to be at home.

I reached the place Kinnigoli, and was picked-up by Dr Roshan from bus-stand, and I along with my wife and daughter were the first to reach his place. I couldn't take my son as he had come down with acute pharyngitis and fever and he was allowed to rest at home with his Granny.

As we reached the place – long distance away from all the noice of the city and human settlements, it was cool and green all around. You could feel the abundance of oxygen around. A little later remaining members of the group joined us. In addition we were also joined by Dr Sudha, Dr Venmani, Dr John Pradeep - our Interns posted at Concetta Hospital at Kinnigoli.

By that time cookong was already in full swing, with Roshan's mother and Gigi – Roshan's wife preparing the dishes for the afternoon lunch. The offer of help was rejected nicely saying not enough space in the kitchen. But the smells emanating from the dishes were great – so with a vision of great food I moved out of the kitchen.

After the tea and snacks all of us decided to go for swimming. All the children were enthusiastic about this venture and were more eager to go. When we reached the destination – it was COOL water that was waiting for us. It is a running stream water that is collected by blocking the flow. All of us were in water for almost 2 hours enjoying, some of us were learning to swim - and that was very relaxing.Then all of us joined back in the house for a sumptous food – of salad from pomegranate, dates and vegetables, dal fry, idlis, rice, gobi chilli and curds, in addition to Kori rotti, chicken curry and pork chilly for all the non vegetarians. The food was really good, and I should thank both Gigi and Roshan's mother for their efforts in preparing all this. Along with food some of us had the opportunity to taste the wine and after food a good amount of Sprite.After a little rest, the kids went for fishing!! - and we went to see the water falls!! which was not falling when we reached there – it was just flowing. May be it will be falling during the rainy season. That place was the best, with lots of rocks in and water fowing around them. We could imagine the splendor of it during the rains. We let our legs rest in water for a while before returning home.It was 5o'clock by then and we had to return. So with a promise to return during the month of October, when there will be more water in the stream, we bid farewell to Dr Roshan's family.I am enclosing the link to the album at Webshots for all of u to see - http://family.webshots.com/album/576090770dhbxDM